Fifth-wheel.



No. 633,000. Patented Sept. l2, I899.

J. H. GRESSOM.

FIFTH WHEEL {Application filed Oct. 27, 1898.)

(No Model.)

g m J1 cams nzrsns ca, mam-Lmw TNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

JAMES ll. GRESSOM, OF EMERALD, \VISC ONSIN.

Fl FTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,000, datedSeptember 12, 1899. Application filed October 2'7, 1898. Serial No-694,688. (No model.)

To It whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. GRESSOM, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Emerald, in the county of St. Croix and State of WVisconsin,have invented a new and useful Fifth-lVheel, of which the followingisaspecification.

The invention relates to improvements in d f th-wheels.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction offifth-wheels and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive onewhich will increase the strength and durability of the vehiclerunning-gear and dispense with aking-bolt and enable the front axle tobe readily separated from the reach when desired.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction forconnecting the reach and the pole of a running-gear with the front axleand to provide a device which will dispense with the front houndswithout weakening the construction.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a fifth-wheelconstructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional view of thesame. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of thelower section of the fifth-wheel. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the uppersection. Fig 5 is a sectional view taken transversely of thefifth-wheel.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings. I

l designates a lower section of a fifth-wheel mounted on a front axle 2and provided atthe front and rear faces thereof with dependent flanges 3and a, which are bolted or otherwise secured to the said axle. Thesection 1, which is provided with a horizontal bottom portion 5 to fitthe top of the axle, has a centrally-arranged upwardly-extendingcircular bearingsocket 6 adapted to receive a depending tubular bearingportion 7 of an upper section 8 of the fifth-wheel, whereby the sectionsare j on rnaled on each other to permit the necessary movement of thefront axle in turning the vehicle. The lower section is provided at thebase of the tubular socket 6 with a flat annular surface, and it has anoutwardly-extending annular flange 9 at the top of the socket, the saidflange 9 being recessed at opposite sides at 10 to provide passage-waysfor lugs 11 of the upper section to permit the said lugs 11 to engagebeneath the horizontal annular flange 9 of the lower section. Theoppositely-disposed recesses 10 of the flange 9 are located at the frontand back of the fifthwheel, and the lugs, hereinafter more fullydescribed, are arranged at each side of the upper section, whereby whenthe parts are assembled they cannot become accidentally separated by theturning of the axle incident to the use of the vehicle.

The upper section is provided at the top of its tubular bearing portion7 with a circular plate or flange 12 and has a depending r-im 13arranged at the periphery of the plate or flange, and by thisconstruction a cap is formed for the top of the socket 6 of the lowersection. The lugs 11, which are formed integral with the upper section,extend inward from the lower edge of the depend-ing rim 13. The upperface of the upper section is provided with a transverse enlargement 14,extending beyond the circular plate or flange and perforated to formears 15 and provided between the ears with parallel flanges 16. Thisenlargement is curved between the parallel flanges to form a seat for aspring; but when thefifth-wheel is employed on a lumber-wagon or someothervehicle requiring no springsa bolster may be secured directly tothe upper section by means of suitable fastening devices passing throughthe perforated cars 15. 1

The lower section of the fifth-Wheelis pro vided with a horizontallydisposed rearwardly-extending segmental flange 17,- terminating short ofthe front axle and adapted to be engaged by a rearwardly-extending arm18 of the upper section to increase the interlocking action of thesections and afford greater strength and durability.Therearwardly-extending arm 18 of the upper section is substantiallyL-shaped, being composed of an inner depending portion and an outersubstantially horizontal portion, and the upper face of the segmentalflange and the adjacent face of the body portion of the lower sectionform a bearing for the said arm 18. The horizontal portion of the arm 18is provided with a horizontal lug 19, downwardly offset from the bodyportion of the arm and forming a recess to receive the curved edge ofthe segmental flange, whereby the parts are interlocked. The lug 19 isoffset from the body portion of the arm by means of a socket orbifurcation 20, in which is secured the front end of a reach 21, therear extremity of the arm 18 being enlarged to provide the socket orbifurcated portion.

The lower section of the fifth-wheel is provided at its front with aforwardly-extending substantially horizontally-disposed tonguereceivingsocket 22, which is connected at its sides with the flanges 3 by meansof L- shaped webs 23, which are horizontal and which greatly increasethe strength of the construction. The sides of the socket, which arevertical, as shown, have their front ends enlarged and connected byupper and lower cross-pieces 25 and 26 to form an opening for a tongue27 and also for limiting the upward and downward swing of the same. Thewebs and the sides are perforated to receive a horizontal pivot 28,which secures the tongue in the socket. The inner faces of the sides ofthe socket are parallel, and by constructing a socket in this manner theconstruction is cheapened, as it is unneccessary to shape a pole toconform to the arrangement of a pair of hounds.

The invention has the following advantages: The fifth-wheel, which issimple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, is applicable toall kinds of wheeled vehicles. It dispenses with the king-bolt, andwhile it enables the parts to be disconnected when desired, yet there isno liability of the same becoming accidentally separated while a vehicleis in use. The upper and lower sections are securely interlocked, and asthe rearwardlyextending arm and the segmental flange provides aninterlocking connection a considerable distance in rear of the center ofthe fifth-wheel it will be clear that the strength and stability of thedevice is greatly increased. The device provides an efficient connectionfor the pole and the reach, and it dispenses with the hounds at thefront of a Vehicle.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of this invention.

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, thecombination of the lower section designed to be mounted on the frontaxle and having a rearwardly-extending segmental flange and providedwith an upwardly-extending bearing-socket provided at its top with anoutwardly-extending annular flange recessed at opposite points, theupper section having a depending bearing portion fitting in the socketof the lower section, said upper section being provided with a circularplate or flange and having a rim depending from the same and fittingoverthe annular flange of the lower section, lugs extending inward from therim and. interlocking with the annular flange, and an arm extendingrearward from the upper section and interlocking with the segmentalflange, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of the lowersection designed to be mounted on a front axle and provided with arearwardly extending segmental flange, a bearing-socket extending upwardfrom the lower section and provided with an outwardly-extendin g annularflange recessed at opposite points, theupper section having a dependingtubular bearing portion to fit the said socket and provided with adepending rim to receive the annular flange and having lugs adapted topass through the recesses thereof and engage beneath the annular flange,an arm extendingrearward from the upper section, interlocked with thesegmental flange and provided with a reach-socket, and atongue-receiving socket extending forward from the front of the lowersection, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a lowersection designed to be mounted on a front axle and provided at its frontwith a forwardly extending socket adapted to receive a tongue, and anupper section interlocked with the lower section and provided with arearwardly-extending arm having a socket for the reception of a reach,

substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a lowersection, an upper section interlocked with the lower section, asubstantially L-shaped arm extending rearward from the upper section,supported by the lower section and provided at its rear end with asocket or bifurcation adapted to receive a reach, and a lug extendingforward from the socket or bifurcation and engaging under the adjacentportion of the lower section, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the my own I have hereto afixed my signaturein the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. GRESSOM.

IVitnesses:

W. J. EGBERT, ROBERT E. GREssoM.

1 15 foregoing-as

